Measuring the success of a farm animal welfare education event

Abstract

Education of children about farm animal welfare could affect welfare standards, through influence on current and future purchasing of animal products, and improve general consideration for animals. Establishing success requires evaluation. Here, a farm animal educational event for 13 to 14 year-old schoolchildren, focusing on chicken biology, welfare and food labelling, was assessed. Alterations in knowledge, attitude and a proxy measure of behaviour towards animals and their welfare, key aspects expected to impact on animal welfare, were investigated using questionnaires. These key aspects were predicted to increase following event attendance and remain higher than in the non-attending control group three months later. Knowledge and positive behaviour towards specific poultry species increased significantly in attendees but, although remaining greater than pre-attendance, tended to diminish over time. Value afforded to animal life was unaffected by the event. Consideration of welfare needs was significantly greater overall in attendees than non-attendees, but appeared to be characteristic of children choosing to attend the event, rather than the event per se. Importance attributed to animal welfare followed a hierarchy from survival-relevant, eg freedom from hunger and thirst, to less critical needs, eg stimulation. The specific species under consideration had the most significant effect on attitudes; consistent with predictions based on perceptions of the animals' 'complexity', cognitive ability, similarity to humans and use. Further investigation into the aetiology of attitude and potential barriers to attitude change is required to effect attitude change and determine whether attitude alteration could support maintenance of shifts in knowledge and behaviour.

Toward a psychology of human–animal relations.

“…Early adolescents who interacted with unpopular live animals (i.e., wood louse, snail, mouse) became less disgusted and fearful of these animals after interacting with them compared to those who did not have such contact (Randier, Hum mel, & Prokop, 2012). In a farm animal education study where adolescents learned about chicken biology, welfare, and food labeling, both knowledge of and positive behaviors toward poultry species increased immediately after the intervention, but then tended to diminish three months following the event (Jamieson et al, 2012).1 Attachment Attachment-which refers to the ability of an attachment figure to provide a secure basis, or sense of safety when the other feels threatened or unsafe-is a fundamental concept in developmental psychology and has also been applied to human-animal relations (e.g., McNicholas et al, 2005;. Despite the fact that humans act as caregivers and provide a secure basis for meeting most of their pets' needs (exercise, food, health), empirical evidence reveals that companion animals can also serve as attachment figures for their owners and meet the four prereq uisites for an attachment bond (Hazan & Zeifman, 1994): proxim ity seeking, safe haven, secure base, and separation distress (Zilcha-Mano, Mikulincer, & Shaver, 2011a; see also Kurdek, 2008Kurdek, , 2009.…”

Exploring Children’s Perspectives on the Welfare Needs of Pet Animals

“…The present exploratory study begins to address these deficiencies and was undertaken in the early stages of a multidisciplinary project. The project's overall aim was to assess how a 'duty of care' might be effectively promoted among children and young people, cognisant of children's significance in the long-term enhancement of animal welfare (Jamieson et al 2012). Duty of care refers to owners' obligation to ensure the welfare needs of their animals are met (Defra 2008).…”

Public Opinion, Private Remonstrance, and the Law: Protecting Animals in Australia, 1803–1914

“…174 The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1904 and its aftermath behind. 175 In October 1904 member of parliament for Cumberland, lawyer and farmer John Dennistoun Wood, arguing that every animal was 'susceptible of enduring great pain', consulted the TSPCA before introducing a new bill based on British legislation and similar to a recent Queensland statute. It extended the law's protection from domestic animals to any animal or bird, whether free or in confinement.…”